The Role of Erythrocyte Size and Shape in Microchannel Fluid Dynamics [BPN732]The unique properties of blood flow in microchannels have been studied for nearly a
century; much of the observed blood-specific dynamics is attributed to the biconcave shape of
red blood cells. However, for almost twice as long biologists have observed and
characterized the differences in the size and shape of red blood cells among vertebrates.
With a few exceptions, mammals share the denucleated biconcave shape of erythrocytes but
vary in size; oviparous vertebrates have nucleated ovoid red blood cells with size
variations of a full order of magnitude. We utilize micro-PIV and pressure drop
measurements to analyze blood flow of vertebrate species in microchannels, with a focus on
understanding how cell size and shape alter the cell-free layer and velocity profile of
whole blood. The results offer insight into the Fahraeus-Lindqvist effect and the
selection of animal blood for the design and evaluation of biological microfluidic devices.